Apparatus adapted for use in the toe closing of hosiery

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for use in hosiery toe closing comprises clamp means arranged to present a toe end portion of a hosiery blank to seaming means for closing thereof, said clamp means comprising a movable clamp member co-operable with a stationary plate to clamp the toe end portion between the clamp member and the plate, a carrier leg arranged to have drawn thereonto the hosiery blank for presentation to the clamp means; and means to assist in drawing the hosiery blank onto the carrier leg.

United States Patent 1- 1 Hazelgrove et al. 1 Apr. 8, 1975 APPARATUSADAPTED FOR USE IN THE 3.429.284 2/1969 Bryan i12/12|.|2 TOE CLOSNG OFHOSIERY 3,452,69l 7/1969 Ditrich [IQ/121.15 3.520.262 7/1970 Bolles eta]. III/I212) [75] Inventors: Bo l az lgr a an Edward 3.733.294 6/1973Christiansen ll2/l2l.l5 Tucker, both of High Wycombe. 3.769.924 11/1973Rogers ll2/l2l l2 England [73] Assign: nflefomai fy Limiled-l PrimaryExaminer-Werner H. Schroeder Buckmghamshlrebngkmd Attorney. Agent, orFirm-Flynn & Frishauf [22] Filed: June 4, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 367,026ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apparatus for use inhosiery toe closing comprises June [972 United Kingdom N 26481, clampmeans arranged to present a toe end portion of a hosiery blank toseaming means for closing thereof, 52 us. Cl. ll2/l2l.l5; 112/12129;223/43- Said Clamp means comprising a clamp 223/112 ber co-operable witha stationary plate to clamp the 5| Int. Cl D05b 21/00 end Portion tweenthe ClamP member [58] Field of Search. HZHZHS 2H2 12129. plate, acarrier leg arranged to have drawn thereonto 223/39 42 A I the hosieryblank for presentation to the clamp means; Q and means to assist indrawing the hosiery blank onto {56} References Cited the camer UNITEDSTATES PATENTS ll Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 3.327.664 6/]967 Bryan etul, 7 223/112 PATENTEDAPR 8l975 SziLU l U? 5 PATENTEDAPR 8&975 75, 0

sum 3 OF 5 FIGS.

APPARATUS ADAPTED FOR USE IN THE TOE CLOSING 0F HOSIERY This inventionis concerned with improvements in or relating to apparatus adapted foruse in the toe closing of hosieryincluding full hose (stockings andtights) and half hose (socks).

It has been previously proposed for example to manufacture hose byknitting a generally tubular blank with an open toe end. a toe pocketclose to the open toe end. and possibly a similar heel pocket. A toeclosing operation involves making a seam across the open toe end portionof the blank.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved apparatus adaptedfor use in closing the toe of a hosiery blank.

The invention provides in one ofits aspects apparatus adapted for use inhosiery toe closing comprising clamp means arranged to present a toe endportion of a hosiery blank to seaming means for closing thereof. saidclamp means comprising a movable clamp member cooperable with astationary plate to clamp the toe end portion between the clamp memberand the plate; a

carrier leg arranged to have drawn thereonto the hosiery blank forpresentation to the clamp means; and means to assist in drawing thehosiery blank onto the carrier leg.

In a preferred embodiment, the means to assist in drawing the hosieryblank onto the carrier leg comprises a powered wheel adaptedfrictionally to engage the hosiery blank on the carrier leg.

The wheel may be supported upon an arm for movement between aninoperative position in which it permits the hosiery blank to be drawnonto the end of the carrier leg. and an operative position in which itengages the hosiery blank to draw it further onto the carrier leg. thearm also being adapted to transmit power to the wheel.

The carrier leg may comprise means to receive the hosiery blank in aretracted position. said means extending to present said portion to theclamp means.

The means to receive the hosiery blank may comprise a pair of bladesdisposed side by side. the spacing of the blades being adjustable.

The carrier leg may comprise means for untwisting the hosiery blankbefore it is drawn onto the carrier leg.

The apparatus may comprise seaming means. the clamp means comprisingmeans to move the clamped toe end portion along a predetermined seamcontour past the seaming means.

The seaming means may comprise a sewing machine which is pivotallymounted whereby it can be withdrawn from its operative position forservicing.

The clamp means may comprise a movable plate having a resilient surfacefacing towards the fixed plate. and means urging the movable platetowards the fixed plate. There may be reverser means arranged to reversea hosiery blank the toe end portion of which has been closed. andtransfer means arranged to transfer a welt end portion of the hosieryblank from the carrier leg to ,the reverser means.

' The carrier leg may comprise means to gather the hosiery blank so thatthe welt end portion is positioned adjacent the spread toe end portion.the transfer means being adapted to enter the so-positioned welt endporiron.

The transfer means may comprise a pair of structures relatively movablebetween a closed position in which they enter the welt end portion andan open position in which they open the welt end portion forpresentation to the reverser means.

The reverser means may comprise a tube and means for producing a reducedair pressure therein whereby to suck the toe end portion ofthe hosieryblank into the tube.

The. reverser means may comprise a to draw todraw the closed toe endportion against the end of the tube.

The above and other aspects of the invention will become more clear fromthe following description, to be read with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. of apparatus embodying the invention. This description, whichis also illustrative of method aspects of the invention. is given by wayof example of the invention only and not by way of limitation thereof.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. I shows a perspective view of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of parts of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a carrier leg assembly of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 shows a side view corresponding to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a plan view ofa transfer assembly of the apparatus:

FIG. 6 shows a side view of means for assisting in drawing hosiery ontothe leg assembly;

FIG.7 shows a detailed plan view of parts of the hosiery drawing meansand FIG. 8 shows a side view corresponding to FIG. 5.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE APPARATUS The apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 8 isadapted for use in closing the toe of a lady's stocking or the toe of atight leg which is subsequently to be joined to another tight leg. Theapparatus comprises a machine frame 12 on which operative parts of theapparatus are mounted. Control of the apparatus is generally via camsand pneumatic switches.

The apparatus comprises a seaming device 14 adapted to provide a toeclosing seam. The device can be an adhesive applicator for adhesiveseaming but in this case is a sewing machine. A bobbin thread supplyassembly 16 supplies thread to the sewing machine 14. The apparatus alsocomprises a clamp assembly 18 arranged to present a stocking toe endportion to the sewing machine for closing thereof. a carrier legassembly 20 arranged to have drawn thereonto a stocking blank S forpresentation to the clamp assembly 18, a rcverser assembly 22 arrangedto reverse stockings the toe ends of which have been closed by thesewing machine. and a transfer assembly 24 arranged to transfer a weltend portion of a stocking S from the leg assembly 20 to the reverserassembly 22.

The apparatus also comprises a foam rimmed wheel assembly 26 to assistin drawing the stocking blank S onto the carrier leg assembly 20;operation of the wheel assembly 26 is initiated in the operation of theapparatus by a hand lever 28. The carrier leg assembly 20 comprises acentral tube 30 which in the operation of the apparatus at timescommunicates with a vacuum pump (not shown) via a valve (not shown) andthe assembly 20 also comprises a pair of flat horizontal reciprocableblades 32 (H65. 1 and 3). The carrier leg assembly also comprises stopmembers 33 mounted on the blades 32.

The reverser assembly 22 is generally similar to that sembly 22 isarranged to communicate with the vacuum pump via suitable valving in theoperation of the apparatus. and is connected to an assembly {not shown)for discharging the stockings in extended condition generally asdescribed in patent specification No. 1073280.

The transfer assembly 24 comprises a finger assembly 37 which is mountedfor bodily movement on a horizontal shaft 39. The finger assembly 37comprises two pairs of fingers 38. 40 one pair of fingers 40 beingmovable between a first position in which they are coplanar with thefingers 38 (FIG. and a second position in which they are spread apartfrom the fingers 38 (FIG. 2).

The clamp assembly 18 comprises a momvable clamp member 42 which isarranged to co-operate with movable smooth horizontal stationary plate44 to clamp the toe end portion of the blank S between the clamp member42 and the plate 44; the sewing machine I4 is located adjacent the plate44. The clamp member 42 is of generally fish mouthed configuration andis movable between an upper position in which it is spaced from theplate 44 and a lower position (FIG. 2) in which it is resiliently urgedby a spring 43 against the plate 44. A lower surface of the clamp member42 is covered by a foam backing 46.

The clamp assembly comprises drive means to move the clamp member 42along a required seam contour passed the sewing machine 14. The drivemeans is generally similar to that described in patent specification No.l 149965. but modified to provide a seam comprising two straightportions joined by an arcuate portion. Movement of the clamp member 42between its upper and lower positions is effected by a pneumaticcylinder and piston (not shown) acting via a rocker arm (not shown).Control of the clamp assembly is via pneumatic switches operated by camswithin the assembly.

The apparatus also comprises a support/guide plate 48 sloping downwardlyfrom the plate 44.

OPERATION OF THE APPARATUS In a cycle of operation of the apparatus, theoperator takes up a stocking blank S the toe end portion of which is tobe closed and which is in a more or less twisted condition. The operatorintroduces the blank S toe end portion first into the central tube tountwist Shuts off the vacuum to the tube 30. It will be realised that inthis drawing operation the blank S is retrieved from the tube 30 and thetoe end portion thereof is located over a front end portion of the legassembly 20.

The operator now aligns the toe end portion of the blank with anidentification mark provided on the leg assembly and having done this.depresses a foot pedal 50. This initiates forward movement of the blades32 from a retracted position thereof to present the toe end portion ofthe blank to the clamp assembly 18; the stops 33 carry the welt endportion of the blank to a position close to the front end of the tube30. The clamp member 42 is at this time in its upper position spacedfrom the stationary plate 44 and the blades 32 place the toe end portionof the blank 8 between the clamp member 42 and the plate 44. The clampmember 42 now moves to its lower position (FIG. 2) and thereafter theblades 32 are retracted from the clamp assembly I8 to their originalretracted position leaving the toe end portion of the blank 8' clampedbetween the clamp member 42 and the plate 44. Prior to movement of theclamp member 42 to its lower position, the blades 32 are spaced a littleabove the plate 44 and on movements of the clamp member 42 to its lowerposition, the blades 32 are deflected downwardly against the plate 44.

The clamp member 42 now moves parallel to the plane of the plate 44thereby moving the toe end portion ofthe blank past the sewing machine14 to provide the blank supported by the finger assembly 37; retractionof the blades initiates re-application of the suction to the tube 30 viaan appropriate cam and pneumatic control switch. The finger assembly 37now moves along the shaft 39 to a position adjacent the reverserassembly 22, and the assembly 37 presents the welt end portion to thereverser assembly 22; this presentation occurs prior to completion ofthe toe closing operation by the sewing machine 14. The finger assembly37 has now moved away from the blank. and suction in the annular spacedbetween the tubes 34, 36 draws the blank welt end portion first into theannular space.

On completion of the toe closing operation the clamp member 42 is raisedslightly by a cam (not shown). thereby releasing the toe end portion.and the closed toe end portion is drawn by the suction against the openend of the tube 36. The suction in the annular space is now relieved andsuction applied to the inner tube reverses the hose and conveys it alongthe inner tube to the hosiery discharge assembly.

Once the blank S has been removed by the transfer assembly 24 from theleg assembly 20, the operator is able to commence immediately anothercycle of operation by placing another blank S on the leg assembly 20.She may now operate the foot pedal again as soon as she is ready.

LEG ASSEMBLY The leg assembly 20 (FIGS. 3 and 4) comprises a yoke 52comprising an extended tube 53 mounted for sliding movement along thetube 30. A rearwardly extending arm 54 is secured to the yoke 52 andthree earns 56 (only one of which is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) are securedto the arm 54 for the operation of pneumatic control switches. The yoke52 also comprises a laterally extending arm 58, which is secured to apiston rod (not shown) of a pneumatic cylinder.

The blades 32 are adjustably secured to the yoke 52 by a bracket and twobrackets 62. A threaded spindle 64 connects opposed threaded bores 66,68 in the yoke 52 and the bracket 60 respectively. A knurled wheel 70 issecured to the spindle 64 and rotation thereof adjusts the spacing ofouter end portions of the blades 32.

The blades 32 are pivotally connected to the bracket guides 72 securedto the tube 30. A rear end portion of the tube 30 is connected to a hose74 leading to the vacuum pump by a hose connector 76.

In the operation of the apparatus, the blades 32 are moved by thecylinder and piston to which reference has been made.

WHEEL ASSEMBLY The wheel assembly 26 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is movable betweena lower position in which it is clear of the leg assembly 20 and anupper (operative) position in which it is adjacent the leg assembly 20to engage the stocking blank S.

The wheel assembly 26 comprises two similar wheels 27 mounted forrotation on a shaft 78 in the end of the arm 80. Each wheel 27 comprisesa frame 27:! and a foam rim 27b.

The shaft 78 carries a pulley 82 which is driven by a belt 84 from afurther pulley 86. This pulley is driven by an electric motor 88 via aworm wheel and a shaft 90.

The arm is mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of the shaft 90,in bearing 92.

A piston and cylinder assembly 94 is mounted adjacent the arm 80. andparallel thereto. The piston 96 carries a wedge shaped linear cam 98which is engaged by a roller-follower I00 upon the arm.

When the piston 96 is retracted. the follower 100 engages the thin endof the cam and the wheels assembly 26 is in its lower position. When thepiston 96 is extended. the cam forces the follower 100 upwards. therebyraising the wheel assembly 26. Raising of the wheel assembly 26 closes amicro-switch (not shown) which energises the motor 88 and rotates thewheels 27.

In the operation of the apparatus immediately prior to operation of thearm 28 by the operator. the wheel assembly 26 is stationary and in itslower position. On operation of the arm 28, the piston 96 extends thusmoving the wheels 27 into contact with the stocking blank S on eitherside of the carrier leg assembly 20. The mirco-switch closes the wheels27 rotate to, bring the welt end portion of the stocking blank 8 intoengagemcnt with the stop members 33. Then the piston 96 is retracted andreturns the wheel assembly 26 to its lower position ready for the nextcycle of operation of the apparatus.

TRANSFER ASSEMBLY The transfer assembly (FIGS. 5 and 8) comprises a lframework 120, and the shaft 39 is mounted for rotation in bearings 122of the framework 120. The finger assembly 37 comprises a generallyU-shaped member 124 from which the fingers 38 extend; the member 127comprises lateral extensions 126 which serve as stops 1 for the materialof the stocking welt end portion (see FIG. 2). The member 124 is securedto a yoke 128 which is free to slide along that shaft 39 but isrestrained against rotation relative thereto by a key 130.

A link 132 connects the yoke 128 and the framework via a pivot pin 134and a cam roller 137 the cam roller 137 is freely mounted in a circulargroove 139 of the yoke 128. The link 132 is pivotally connected at 138to a piston rod 140 of a pneumatic cylinder 141 via a threaded connector142. The cylinder 141 is pivotally connected to the framework 120 by apivot pin 144. The pneumatic control switch 146 is mounted in theframework 120 and an operating cam roller 148 is arranged to be operatedby a member 150 extending downwardly from the link 132.

A pair of generally triangular brackets 150 extend upwardly from theframework 120 and a pneumatic cylinder 152 is pivotally mounted betweenthe brackets 150 by a spindle 154. A piston rod 156 of the cylinder 152is pivotally connected via a threaded connector 158 and a pivot pin 160to a yoke 162 which is keyed to the shaft 39 against lateral androtational movement relative thereto. A member 164 is secured to theyoke 162 and is arranged to operate an operating cam roller 166 of apneumatic control switch 168 secured in the framework 120.

Another yoke is also keyed to the shaft 39 against rotational movementrelative thereto. but is laterally movable therealong. A ring 169secured to the shaft 39 limits the lateral movement of the yoke 170. Theyoke 170 comprises a circular groove 172.

A pneumatic cylinder 173 is mounted in the frame work 120 and a pistonrod 175 thereof is connected to the yoke 170. A bracket 174 extends fromthe yoke 162 and bellcrank link 176 is pivotally mounted on the bracket174 by a pivot pin 178. A cam roller 180 is mounted on the link 176 andreceived in the groove 172.

The bellcrank link comprises an arm 179 of inverted channel shaped crosssection providing a cam track. A cam roller 182 is received in the camtrack of the arm 179. The cam roller 182 is mounted on an L-shapedmember 183 which is mounted for linear sliding movement in a lineargroove 184 of the yoke 128. The L- shaped member 183 mounts a U-shapedmember 186 on which are mounted the fingers 40.

In the operation of the apparatus, immediately prior to retraction ofthe blades 32 of the leg assembly 20 from the clamp assembly 18, thepiston rod 156 is moved to the right (FIGS. 5 and 8) to move the shaft39 via the yoke 162 in a clockwise (FIG. 8) sense to move the fingerassembly 37 via the yoke 128 also clockwise into an upright position inwhich the fingers internally engage the welt end portion of the stockingblank on the leg assembly. In this clockwise movement. the member 164actuates the switch 168 to cause operation of the cylinder 141 to movethe piston rod 140 inwardly relative to the cylidner 141; this causesvia the link 132 corresponding movement of the finger assem- LIImovement causes via the L-shaped member 183 and the U-shaped member 186.movement of the fingers 40 to their second position in which the weltend portion of the blank is spread for presentation to the reverserassembly. in the movement of the finger assembly 37 along the shaft 39the cam roller [82 runs along th cam track of the arm 179.

On actuation of the switch 146 by the member 150.

the cylinder 152 operates to return the finger assembly 37anti-clockwise leaving the stocking welt on the reverser assembly 22.The finger assembly 37 then returns by the operation of the cylinder 141to its position as shown in FIG. 5, and then operation of the cylinderI73 returns the fingers 40 to their first position.

We claim:

I. Apparatus for use in hosiery toe closing. comprising:

a. seaming means for closing a toe end portion of a hosiery blank;

b. clamp means to present said toe end portion to said seaming means.said clamp means including a stationary plate and a movable clamp membercooperable therewith to clamp said toe end portion between said clampmember and said plate;

c. a carrier leg arranged to have drawn thereonto the hosiery blank;

d. means for drawing the hosiery blank onto said carrier leg; saidcarrier leg including advancing means movable along said carrier leg andoperable to advance the toe end portion of a hosiery blank drawn ontosaid carrier leg between said clamp member and said plate, saidadvancing means being retractable from said toe end portion subsequentto toeclamping by said clamp means; reverser means alongside saidcarrier leg for reversing the hosiery blank after toe-seaming; and g.transfer means operable to transfer a welt end portion of said hosieryblank from carrier leg to said reverser means. said transfer meanscomprising a pair of structures relatively movable between a closedposition in which they enter the welt end portion and an open positionin which they open the welt end portion for presentation to saidreverser means.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein the means to assist indrawing the hosiery blank onto the carrier leg comprises a rotatablypowered wheel adapted frictionally to engage the hosiery blank on thecarrier.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 comprising an arm for supporting thewheel for movement between an inoperative position in which it permitsthe hosiery blank to be drawn onto the end of the carrier leg. and anoperative position in which it engages the hosiery blank to draw itfurther onto the carrier leg. the arm also comprising means to transmitpower to the wheel.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein the ad- 8 vancing meanscomprises a pair of blades disposed side by side along said carrier legand means for adjusting the spacing of the blades.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carrier leg comprisesmeans for untwisting the hosiery blank before it is drawn onto thecarrier leg.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim I the clamp means comprising means tomove the clamped toe end portion along a predetermined seam contour pastthe seaming means.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clamp members comprises amovable plate having a resilient surface facing towards the fixed plate.and means urging the movable plate towards the fixed plate.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein the said advancing meansincludes means to convey the weld end portion forward to a positionadjacent the advanced toe end portion, the transfer means being adaptedto enter the so-positioned weld end portion.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reverser means comprisesa tube and means for producing a reduced air pressure therein whereby tosuck the toe end portion of the hosiery blank into the tube.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the reverser means comprisesa means to draw the closed toe end portion against the end of the tube.

ll. Apparatus for use in hosiery toe closing. comprising:

a. seaming means for closing a toe end portion of a hosiery blank;

h. clamp means to present said toe end portion to said seaming means.said clamp means including a stationary plate and a movable clamp membercooperable therewith to clamp said toe end portion between said clampmember and said plate;

c. a carrier leg arranged to have drawn thereonto the hosiery blank:

d. means for drawing the hosiery blank onto said carrier leg. saiddrawing means including a drive wheel. an arm mounting said wheel formovement from an inoperative to an operative position in which latterposition said wheel is frietionally engageable with said hosiery blankon said carrier leg. said arm including means to transmit power to saidwheel whereby said wheel is rotated in contact with said hosiery blankto draw the blank onto said carrier leg;

c. said carrier leg including advarieing means movable along saidcarrier legand operable to advance the toe end portion of a hosieryblank drawn onto said carrier leg between said clamp member and saidplate. said advancing means being retractable from said toe end portionsubsequent to toeclamping by said clamp means;

f. reverser means alongside said carrier leg for reversing the hosieryblank after toe-seaming; and

g. transfer means operable to transfer a welt end portion of saidhosiery blank from said carrier leg to said reverser means. saidtransfer means comprising a pair of structures relatively movablebetween a closed position in which they enter the welt end portion andan open position in which they open the welt end portion forpresentation to said re-

1. Apparatus for use in hosiery toe closing, comprising: a. seamingmeans for closing a toe end portion of a hosiery blank; b. clamp meansto present said toe end portion to said seaming means, said clamp meansincluding a stationary plate and a movable clamp member co-operabletherewith to clamp said toe end portion between said clamp member andsaid plate; c. a carrier leg arranged to have drawn thereonto thehosiery blank; d. means for drawing the hosiery blank onto said carrierleg; e. said carrier leg including advancing means movable along saidcarrier leg and operable to advance the toe end portion of a hosieryblank drawn onto said carrier leg between said clamp member and saidplate, said advancing means being retractable from said toe end portionsubsequent to toe-clamping by said clamp means; f. reverser meansalongside said carrier leg for reversing the hosiery blank aftertoe-seaming; and g. transfer means operable to transfer a welt endportion of said hosiery blank from carrier leg to said reverser means,said transfer means comprising a pair of structures relatively movablebetween a closed position in which they enter the welt end portion andan open position in which they open the welt end portion forpresentation to said reverser means.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein the means to assist in drawing the hosiery blank onto thecarrier leg comprises a rotatably powered wheel adapted frictionally toengage the hosiery blank on the carrier.
 3. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 2 comprising an arm for supporting the wheel for movement betweenan inoperative position in which it permits the hosiery blank to bedrawn onto the end of the carrier leg, and an operative position inwhich it engages the hosiery blank to draw it further onto the carrierleg, the arm also comprising means to transmit power to the wheel. 4.Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the advancing means comprises apair of blades disposed side by side along said carrier leg and meansfor adjusting the spacing of the blades.
 5. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the carrier leg comprises means for untwisting thehosiery blank before it is drawn onto the carrier leg.
 6. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 the clamp means comprising means to move the clampedtoe end portion along a predetermined seam contour past the seamingmeans.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clamp memberscomprises a movable plate having a resilient surface facing towards thefixed plate, and means urging the movable plate towards the fixed plate.8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said advancing meansincludes means to convey the weld end portion forward to a positionadjacent the advanced toe end portion, the transfer means being adaptedto enter the so-positioned weld end portion.
 9. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the reverser means comprises a tube and means forproducing a reduced air pressure therein whereby to suck the toe endportion of the hosiery blank into the tube.
 10. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 9 wherein the reverser means comprises a means to draw the closedtoe end portion against the end of the tube.
 11. Apparatus for use inhosiery toe closing, comprising: a. seaming means for closing a toe endportion of a hosiery blank; b. clamp means to present said toe endportion to said seaming means, said clamp means including a stationaryplate and a movable clamp member co-operable therewith to clamp said toeend portion between said clamp member and said plate; c. a carrier legarranged to have drawn thereonto the hosiery blank; d. means for drawingthe hosiery blank onto said carrier leg, said drawing means including adrive wheel, an arm mounting said wheel for movement from an inoperativeto an operative position in which latter position said wheel isfrictionally engageable with said hosiery blank on said carrier leg,said arm including means to transmit power to said wheel whereby saidwheel is rotated in contact with said hosiery blank to draw the blankonto said carrier leg; e. said carrier leg including advancing meansmovable along said carrier leg and operable to advance the toe endportion of a hosiery blank drawn onto said carrier leg between saidclamp member and said plate, said advancing means being retractable fromsaid toe end portion subsequent to toe-clamping by said clamp means; f.reverser means alongside said carrier leg for reversing the hosieryblank after toe-seaming; and g. transfer means operable to transfer awelt end portion of said hosiery blank from said carrier leg to saidreverser means, said transfer means comprising a pair of structuresrelatively movable between a closed position in which they enter thewelt end portion and an open position in which they open the welt endportion for presentation to said reverser means.